The Best Swimsuits for Every Body Type

Regardless of whether your body is beach ready or not, summer is fast approaching and swimming weather is imminent; there's no turning back now. While it may seem that men's swimwear is a pretty straightforward, it turns out that there are some guidelines to consider when choosing the most flattering style for your body type.

Fortunately, the folks over at Men's Journal have published a guide to the best swimsuits by body type, enlisting the help of Pangea Swim co-founder and designer Nick Bradley.

The Dad Bod

"If you have a little bit of one but are more of the soft side, avoid super fitted suits. 'Nobody wants to see back fat,' Bradley says. 'Relaxed waistbands or drawstrings are the way to go. Look for new styles of shorts with half-elastic in the back and zip or button in the front.' "

The Lean Athlete

"If you've got a lean, toned look thanks to a healthy dose of muscle and a body fat percentage lower than the milk in your coffee, there isn't much you can do wrong in terms of flattering style. If you are on the tall side, go for a 6-to-7-inch inseam. If you stand 5-foot-10 or shorter, aim for a 4-to-5-inch inseam. But no matter how long or short you choose, don't be afraid to go for bold colors, stripes, or patterns."

Tall and Thin

" 'Most guys don't know it, but girls love guys' legs. My recommendation for the tall, thin guy is to use that height. Go with shorter shorts, as it accentuates your legs and torso.' Bradley recommends a 6-inch inseam and a design with a drawstring to add some contrast against the leanness of your build. If you are thin and on the shorter side, just accommodate with a shorter inseam, such as a 4-inch cut."

The Beer Gut

"Bradley recommends going for a mid-length or longer short that is fit loose to match the width of your hips. Drawstrings are good here for sizing and comfort, and won't pinch in the wrong places. Make sure to look for a style that isn't labeled as 'tailored' or tapered."

The Strong Man

"Being a bulkier athlete may mean buying bigger sizes, but you still look better than most XL's out there. Make sure you look for a swim short that is cut wide all the way down the leg to leave enough room to keep your quads comfortable. Drawstrings or elastic will add to a more relaxed look, but don't be afraid of a 6-inch inseam since you didn't skip leg day."

Short and Stocky

" 'Avoid long drawstrings and stay with a short-to-mid length fitted shorts that adds height to your torso,' recommends Bradley. He also suggests avoiding anything longer than a 6-inch inseam to avoid cutting the length of your legs in half and taking away from your strong build. 'A streamlined look with length won't add extra bulk.' "